2 min read
Anyone who was a “Disney kid” in the early 2000s knows the impact that Hannah Montana had on their youth (did anyone else daydream of being a secret pop star and wearing a long, blond wig?). So, when it was announced that Disney would be airing a 20th anniversary special with Miley Cyrus, a nod to the early aughts makeup was to be expected (and highly anticipated).
For the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special premiere, makeup artist Janice Daoud channeled Cyrus’s Y2K glam from her original role, creating a shimmering, smoky eye with a modern and grown-up twist. “A soft shimmer swept across the lid, using Maybelline’s Shadow Drip Eye Tint Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadows, added a subtle tribute to Hannah’s sparkle,” Daoud tells Bazaar.
Michael Buckner
Rather than going full-on early 2000s with smoky black eyeliner, Daoud used a creamy, warm-toned brown eyeliner and lengthening brown mascara, both from Maybelline. “I kept the skin fresh with a light touch of foundation, letting the smoky eye line take center stage.”
Shop Miley’s Premiere Look
Maybelline
Lash Sensational Sky High Lengthening Mascara in Brownish Black
Maybelline Shadow Drip Eye Tint Liquid Eye Shadow in Silver Drip
Maybelline Sculpting Stix 2-in-1 Eyeliner in Mocha Contour
Maybelline Serum Lipstick in Upstate
Maybelline Lifter Plump & Glow Foundation Hyaluronic Acid
Maybelline Cloudtopia Cheek & Lip Mousse in Coral Illusion
Cyrus complemented the shimmery makeup with Hannah’s signature hairstyle—remixed for 2026. Hairstylist Bobby Eliot created modern curtain bangs with face-framing layers for a modern-day spin on the iconic wig.
When it came to transforming Cyrus into Hannah Montana for the special, Daoud added more ‘90s elements, incorporating brown tones, from the sculpted contour to a mauve-brown lip. “For this milestone moment, I wanted to capture Hannah’s playful spirit while embracing Miley’s effortless confidence, blending nostalgia with a modern edge,” she explains. “We sculpted the face and eyes, which were the perfect tools to bring that balance of fun and confidence to life.
Disney Channel
While Cyrus stayed true to her original character’s look for the most part, she swapped the stark blond hue for a softer bronde color, which, if you were to ask us, is exactly what her alter ego would be sporting 20 years on.
